The Met Office has issued a Yellow weather warning with temperatures in London expected to reach 32 degrees during the week, London Ambulance Service said on 30 July 2024. The service issued a public safety notice asking Londoners to take care in the hot weather and to call 999 only in a life-threatening emergency1.
Michael Agnew, a paramedic in the service's clinical hub, said call handlers can take a thousand more calls a day during these temperatures. The service said it expects an increase in calls about difficulty in breathing, dizziness and fainting, and more calls about chest pains and heart problems, adding that cardiac-related calls are common in the days following a heatwave1.
"Older people, the very young and people with pre-existing conditions are more at risk in hot weather, so please look out for neighbours, family or friends who may need some help and make sure they are able to keep cool during the heat."
The service's advice, as given in its notice, includes avoiding prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, particularly between 11am and 3pm when UV rays are at their strongest, sticking to shade and wearing sun cream. It said it is important to drink plenty of water, to take a bottle of water when heading out, and that keeping hydrated is especially important when drinking alcohol. It added that people can start to feel ill a few days after the hot weather1.
The service asked people to follow advice, use the service wisely and contact a GP, pharmacy or NHS 111 where possible1. The notice did not give a start or end time for the Yellow warning, and no further detail on the warning's area or duration has been reported1.
Why it matters for households
The warning covers the capital, with temperatures expected to reach 32 degrees this week1. The ambulance service names older people, the very young and people with pre-existing conditions as more at risk in hot weather, and asks the public to check on neighbours, family and friends who may need help keeping cool1. It also notes that people can become ill a few days after hot weather, so the risk period extends beyond the hottest days1. Demand on 999 call handlers can rise by a thousand calls a day at these temperatures, and the service asks people to use NHS 111, a GP or a pharmacy where possible1. The Met Office weather warnings guide explains what the Yellow level means, and the heat-health alerts guide sets out the separate UKHSA alert levels. Households can read how to sign up for Met Office weather alerts and how to sign up for heat-health alerts. The Adverse Weather and Health Plan describes how services respond, and the heatwaves and drought hub covers wider preparation. There is also guidance on keeping cool during a power cut in hot weather and on staying cool in pregnancy.
What happens next
No end date for the Yellow warning, and no further Met Office statement, has been reported1.
Met Office Weather Warnings
Heat-Health Alerts Explained
